Southampton will face West Ham in the FA Cup 5th round on Wednesday, March 2nd. The Saints reached the fifth round after celebrating a 2-1 victory over Coventry, meanwhile, the Hammers beat Kidderminster Harriers with a 2-1 score. Ahead of the game, BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson has stated his prediction.
Both of these sides are going well in the Premier League - Southampton are unbeaten in five games, while West Ham have not lost in four. What I like most about Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is that, win or lose, he does not make much of a fuss. It's only a few weeks since they were on a poor run of form, but they have turned that right around recently. Southampton's home record is especially strong - they have only lost once at St Mary's all season - and that's one of the reasons I feel they might just edge this tie. It's brilliant for West Ham that they are still fighting on three fronts at the start of March - the FA Cup, Europa League and the race for Champions League qualification - but I just feel something has to give. The Hammers only just squeaked past Kidderminster in round four and, with a trip to Liverpool to come this weekend, I just wonder if Hammers boss David Moyes might gamble a bit and leave one or two players out. With the way it is going for them in other competitions, losing this tie wouldn't be the end of the world - for starters they are right in the mix for fourth place.Lawrenson's prediction: 1-0
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